Barriers are up at the subway under Queens Drive at the Coate Roundabout.

But pedestrians are still able to use it because they have been left open at the three approaches.

Temporary traffic lights on Queens Drive to allow people to pass are installed but were not yet working by Wednesday evening.

It is expected that they will be operating before the underpass is fully closed in order for Swindon Borough Council contractors to finally block it up.

The authority says the underpass is not wide enough to allow both pedestrians and cyclists to use it safely at the same time.

But Labour councillors in the area say closing the subway is going too far.

Mike Davies, who standing as Labour’s candidate for borough councillor in Liden, Eldene & Park South and for Park South in the South Swindon Parish Council election said: “There was a consultation of residents about this and 160 of 165 respondents were against closing the underpass.

“The toucan crossing, which allows pedestrians and cyclists to cross at the same time, will benefit some people: those who use wheelchairs said they’d prefer it to using the underpass, but there are downsides as well.

“It means people will be crossing a busy road, one that’s used by fire engines and ambulances, and having to cross the road will inevitably be riskier.

“There’s no danger of being hit by a car using the subway. There's no need to close it.”

But cabinet member for highways maintenance Kevin Parry said all councillors are aware of the reasons for closing the subway.

He said: “They’ve all had the report which says clearly, the subway is at the end of its life and it would need a lot of maintenance if we were to keep it open.

“They’ll also know from the report that it doesn’t meet current standards for size – it’s not wide enough for a pedestrian and a cyclist to pass each other. The crossing is part of our Swindon Flyer cycle-route network, so it needs to be up to standard and the toucan crossing is.”

He added: “The route to the underpass is steep and can be difficult in bad weather, and lots of people say they don’t feel safe using it. When we were looking at this issue I went and stood for an hour there and everyone used the pedestrian crossing to get across Marlborough Road instead of using the subway there.”

Also standing for the borough council election for Liden Eldene & Park South ward are Bazil Solomon for the Conservatives and Caroline Thomas for the Liberal Democrats.

Mr Solomon is also standing in the Park South ward for the parish council election as is Danial Vales, another Labour candidate.